Mitchell on the Move: Argos acquire towering d-lineman

Mitchell on the Move: Argos acquire towering d-lineman

David Friederich

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts and BC Lions have completed a trade that will send former all-star DT Khalif Mitchell to the defending Grey Cup Champions in exchange for import DE Adrian Awasom as well as the rights to a negotiation list player.

Commented Argonauts General Manager, Jim Barker, “Khalif has shown the ability to be a dominant interior defensive lineman in the CFL. He has been a part of a Grey Cup championship team and understands the level of commitment needed to again be a champion. We’re excited to have him join our Club.”

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman joins an Argos squad that is in need of an established defensive lineman after losing Ricky Foley to free agency, releasing Ronald Flemons and granting all-star Armond Armstead his release.

Mitchell has spent the past three seasons with the Lions after joining the league in September of 2010 as a free agent. During the 2011 campaign, he gained notoriety as being one of the CFL’s most feared pass rushers, leading to him being named a Western Division and CFL All-Star at his position.

The native of Virginia Beach, VA had 33 tackles and 6 sacks in his all-star season, and comes to the Boatmen with 54 tackles and 8 sacks in 34 career CFL games. Prior to his stint with the Lions, Mitchell spent two seasons on the practice roster of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.